Opinion

Some Progress on Syria

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

September 26, 2013

The resolution to rid Syria of its chemical weapons, agreed to by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, is a useful, if imperfect, step toward a credible international response to a bloody war that has killed more than 100,000 Syrians.

The resolution would legally obligate Syria to give up its stockpile of poison gas, estimated at 1,000 tons. While it does not threaten the use of force if Syria fails to comply, it says in that event the Security Council will reconvene to address the issue and impose unspecified measures under Chapter VII, a provision of the United Nations Charter that is used to authorize sanctions or the use of force.

Russia received a lot of credit for the recent deal with the United States that delayed American military action by requiring Syria to surrender its chemical weapons by the middle of next year. But, in recent weeks, as the major powers haggled over a resolution that would enforce the deal, it seemed as if Russia might revert to a more familiar, obstructive role by shielding President Bashar al-Assad of Syria from punishment if he fails to comply.

Since October 2011, Russia has blocked three attempts to condemn or punish Mr. Assad for brutality against civilians, leaving the Security Council looking feckless in the face of slaughter. It took the Aug. 21 poison gas attack that killed hundreds of civilians outside Damascus to provoke a long-overdue unified diplomatic response.

Absurdly, the resolution does not name the party responsible for the gas attack, but Western governments and most independent groups say it could only have been committed by Syrian government forces. Russia blames Syrian insurgents but has never offered any proof.

Russia had made it clear that it would not accept an initial resolution threatening action under Chapter VII and that any punitive measures would be considered only after Syrian noncompliance was clearly proved. The United States and France wanted tougher language putting the resolution directly under Chapter VII, but the two-step enforcement process, which gives Russia a chance to veto any punishment, appears to be the best they could get.